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(Member Of Swanton Athletic Hall Of Fame)
Robert Thomas Mossing, age 94, of Swanton, Ohio, entered eternal life Tuesday evening, May 19, 2026. Bob was born Oct. 27, 1931, in Toledo, Ohio, the second youngest child of Peter and Mary (Hughes) Mossing.
As a young man, Bob was highly skilled with his hands and always hard at work, often repairing cars or building things.
He was also a talented athlete, earning all-state football honors at Swanton High School in 1949 and later inducted into the school’s inaugural Hall of Fame class.
After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Air Force and served from 1949 to 1954, primarily in Germany. He later continued his military career with the Ohio Air National Guard in Toledo.
Beginning as a jet mechanic, he rose to the highest enlisted rank of Chief Master Sergeant and spent the final 20 years of his more than 35-year career as a flight line superintendent.
He was an active member of the base retirement group, the Afterburners. Bob and his wife, Joan Rose Carroll, were high school sweethearts. They were apart for 4 years during Bob’s military service, but they remained deeply committed.
Bob returned from active duty on Oct. 6, 1954, and they married on Jan. 8, 1955, at Immaculate Conception Marygrove. They moved in with Joan’s mom on Bancroft Street and had their first son, Michael, in November 1955. Their daughter, Susan, died after birth in 1956.
Shortly after the death of their daughter, Bob built a house (literally) just up the road and moved into what became the family homestead for the rest of his life (70 years).
An amazing life of faith, commitment and love, Bob and Joan were devout Catholics.
They were members of Holy Trinity-Immaculate Conception Marygrove where they were lifelong pillars of their faith community. Their commitment of time, talent and treasure was a tremendous example for their seven children.
Bob’s first priority was always Joan and their family. Instead of pursuing hobbies, he devoted himself to his children’s and grandchildren’s activities, often as both coach and enthusiastic supporter.
As his children built families of their own, they welcomed his visits and often set aside a few projects for his capable hands. He loved bringing family and friends together for meals—often a corn roast or hobo dinner—filled with laughter and joy. The gatherings often ended with a lively game of euchre or another favorite card game.
Bob loved adventure and travel. Before retiring, he pursued that passion through family vacations and military trips. In retirement, he and Joan traveled extensively across the United States and abroad.
Hawaii was one of their favorite almost-annual destinations, where they enjoyed military accommodations and extended visits with their son, Allan, and his family.
Bob Mossing lived an extraordinary life. His 69-year marriage to his beloved wife was a love story his family had the privilege to witness firsthand, and all who knew them were part of that story. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, friend, role model, and mentor.
His legacy will live on in the lives of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. We are deeply grateful for who he was and for the love he gave so generously.
We are confident that the greeting Bob received as he entered Heaven was “Well done good and faithful servant!” Matthew 25:21.
Bob is survived by his children, Mark (Carolyn) Mossing; Mary Ann (Steve) Conley; Matthew (Adria) Mossing; Allan (Sharon) Mossing; and Eric Robert Mossing; daughter-in-law, Christine Mossing; nine grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; brother Ken Mossing and sister-in-law Eunice Gilbert, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Bob was preceded in death by his wife Joan, his parents and siblings, infant daughter, Susan and sons, Michael and Thomas.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, May 27 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Weigel Funeral Home in Swanton, where a prayer service will begin at 6:30 p.m. Visitation will continue Thursday, May 28 from 10 to 11 a.m. at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Assumption, where a Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11 a.m., with Fr. Jeremy Miller presiding. Interment will follow at Marygrove Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Holy Trinity Catholic Church or the Marygrove Cemetery Fund, 2649 US-20, Swanton, OH 43558.
